Lock mechanism



M. TIBBETTS' Loox MECHANIS'M April 26 Filed June 19, 19g@ Patented Apr.2e, 1927.

UNITED STATES l 1,626,106 PATENT OFFICE.

MILTON TIBBETTS, OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR TO PACKARD MOTOR CABCOM- PANY, OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN,

A CORPORATION OF MICHIGAN.

LOCK MECHANISM.

Application led June 19, 1926. Serial No. 117,097.

This invention relates to lock mechanism and particularly to combinedkey and keyless lock mechanism. l

One of the objects of the'present invention is to provide a lockmechanism that may be released without a key but which, if improperlyoperated, will render the mechanism ineffectual.

Another object of the invention is to provide a simple combination lockmechanism with means for rendering the combination mechanism inoperativeupon improper manipulation.

Another object of the invention to to provide a door loekmeehanism withasingle dial combination releasing mechanism.

Another object of the invention is to provide a lock mechanism wth asingle dial release mechanism of novel and efficient construction. l

Another object of the invention is to provide a. combination lockmechanism with means for returning the release element to predeterminedposition upon completion of the release operation.

Other objects of the invention will appear from the' followingdescription taken in connection with the drawings,which form a part ofthis specification, and in which:

Fig. 1 isa fragmentary view of a door, with the lock mechanism embodiedtherein;

Fig. 2 is an elevation and part sectional View of the lock mechanismsubstantially on the line 2 2 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 3.is a section through the lock mechanism substantially on the line3-3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 1 is similar to Fig. 3 with parts in elevation and in differentpositions;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged section on the iine 5 of Fig. 3, and

Fig. 6 is an enlarged section on the line 6-6 of Fig. 3.

Referring to the drawings, 1() represents a door, such as an automobilebody door or other support for the lock mechanism. A locking bolt isshown at 11 and a spring 12 bears against its rear end as at 13 so thatthe bolt is yieldingly pressed towards the left in Fig. 2. The bolt 11has two manually operated devi( es for retracting it, the first onebeing a vertical shaft 14 having a handle 15 at its upper end. whichshaft has a cam connection Aat 16 for retracting the bolt 11, and thesecond one being a shaft 17 having a handle 18 and an arm 19 operatingagainst an exten- 'upper position and the s ion 2O on the bolt 11. Theextension 20 is shown partly in full lines and part-ly in dotted linesin Fig. 2. The arm 19 is operated by the shaft 17 by reason of thesquare end 21 of the latter extending through the hub 22 of said arm 19,as shown particularly in Fig. '3.

The bolt retracting handle is usually arranged inside of the door sothat it may always be operated to retract the bolt regardless of Whetherthe bolt is locked or not, while the handle 18 is arranged on theoutside of the door and is arranged to be locked under certainconditions.

It will be seen that the bolt 11 can be retracted by the handle 18 onlyupon swinging the arm 19 through the medium of the shaft 17.Consequently, if the arm 19 is prevented from swinging, the bolt 11cannot be retracted by the handle 18. A locking member lfor this purposeis indicated at 23 and it is arranged .for sliding movement into and outpf locking position. This member 23 and the other parts of the lock arepreferably supported in a plate 24 which forms a part of the door 10,and on this plate is a guide 25 for the locking member 23. A spring 26operates in notches 27 and 28 to retain the locking member in itsextreme positions.

The locking member 23 has a part 29 which is in the path of the arm 19when the member is in its lower position, as shown in Fig. 2. The membermay be raised to its part 29 is then out of the path of the arm 19. Whenthe member 23 is in the position shown in Fig. 2 the arm 19 cannot beoperated to retract the bolt 11, and consequently the bolt cannot beretracted by the handle 18. This is the locked position of the bolt.

Means are provided for manually movingv the locking member 23 to itslocked position. The shaft 111 is drilled out at its upper end and isprovided with a rod 30 extending thereinto. This rod is connected by apin 31 extending through a slot 31 to a sleeve 32 Surrounding the shaft111. The lower end of the sleeve 32 is in Contact with an arm 33 on themember 23 and it will be seen. therefore, that when the pin 30 is pusheddownwardly as it has been in Fig. 2 the sleeve 32 is carried don'n withit and this pushes the locking member 23 into locking osition.

The locking member 23 may be released from locking position by severaldifferent means, as shown herein. First, it may be released or returnedto its unlocked position by operating the handle 15 to retract the bolt11. This is done by reason of a pin 34 on the shaft 14 operating on acam 35 on the arm 33. Thus, as the shaft 14 is rotated to retract thebolt 11 through the means 16, the pin 34 will force the arm 33 andconsequently the member 23 upwardly so that the spring 26 snaps into thenotch 28, thus retaining the member 23 in its unlocked position.

Second, the member 23 may be released or moved to its unlocked positionby a key mechanism shown diag'lainmatically at 36 in Fig. 1. lVhen thecylinder barrel of the key mechanism 36 is rotated, its square'shaft 37,shown in Fig. 2, will rotate the arm 38 against the cam surface 39,which will thereupon raise the member 23 to its unlocked position.

Third, the locking member 23 may be released or returned to its unlockedposition by a combination lock release mechanism or dial mechanism whichwill now be described.

The operating shaft of this dial mechanism is in the form of a two-partsleeve surrounding the shaft 17 of the door handle 18. The inner part ofthis shaft or sleeve is'indicated at 40 and the outer part at 42, thelatter having a suitable dial 43 on its outer end. These two parts areconnected to move together by suitable keys and slots as indicated at 44at the left hand ends of the parts, and a knurled nut 45, threaded tothe end of the inner part 40 of the shaft, bears against the dial 43 andretains thetwo parts in adjusted position relative to each other. Thisconnection between the shaft parts may be used to change thecombination, as will be hereinafter more particularly described.

The shaft as a whole is mounted in a bracket 46 which may be suitablysecured to the panel of the door 10 as by the bolts 47. The shaft 40-42,hereinafter indicated as a whole by the numeral 41, is mounted to rotateand reciprocate in @the bracket 46 and around the shaft 17. It isrotatedto proper position and then it is reciprocated to release thelocking member 23 as hereinafter described.

The inner end of the shaft or sleeve 4l has a cylindrical part 48 uponwhich a latch 49 is adapted to ride. This latch is mounted between twolugs 50 on the locking member 23 and it has a pin and slot connection 51with those lugs so that it has a limited up and down movement. A spring52 tends to draw the latch 49 downwardly and keep its nose 53 in contactwith the shaft 41.

Adjacent the cylindrical part 48 of the shaft 41 there is a cam surface54 which,'if properly positioned in line with the nose 53 of the latch49, will move the latter' and con- 55 if the shaft 41 is pushed inwardlyor tothe right of Fig. 3. The latch is shown in this position in Fig. 4,as therein the shaft 41 has been pushed inwardly so that the latchcatches behind the shoulder 55 and retains thc shaft against retraction.

The shaft 41 is formed with a series of splines, preferably on the. part40 thereof,

as at 56, and a pin 57 extends inwardly from the bracket 46 lo engagebetween those splines when the shaft is pushed inwardly. An annularrecess 53 is provided in the shaft part 40 at one end of the splines 56so that the shaft may be rotated when it is in its normal or outerposition. Thus in Fig. 3

the pin 57 is shown in the annular recess 58, but in Fig. 4, where theshaft 41 has been pushed inwardly, the pin 57 is between two of thesplines 56, thereby preventing turning of the shaft in that position.Part 42 of the shaft is formed with an extension 59, one side of whichis preferably substantially in line with the numeral zero on the dial43, and this extension thereby forms a stop for the dial as willhereinafter appear.

The part 42 of the shaft 41 is also formed with a series of longitudinaldepressions or splines .6G in co-operation with which a spring pressedpin 61 acts to yieldingly retain the shaft inany of the positionsindicated by the numerals on the dial 43. ln other words, this sp-lineand pin construction forms a click mechanism by which one may feel thedial click around when it is rotated and thereby count the variouspositions on the dial. In this way the dial may be turned to the desiredposition by counting the clicks so that it may be operated at night aswell as in the daytime.

That part of the bracket 46 which is outside of the panel 10 ispreferably formed in two4 parts, the outer part being in thc form of aplate 62 secured to the inner part b v rivets 63 or otherwise. Betweenthere parts there is a .space 64 which houses a. spring 65, one end ofwhich is connected to the part 42 of thel shaft through a ring 66, andthe other end of which is connected to the bracket 46 as at 67. The ring66 is splined to the shaft part 42 as shown particularly in Fig. 3 sothat the shaft part may be pushed inwardly and the ring may slide onit.. Thisspring coils around the shaft several times and tends to rotatethe shaft in one direction, normally bringing the shaft lou ` sho uld-erback to the Fig. 3, the spring' will always bring the shaft back to zeroposition. y

There is also a spring indicated at 68 for retracting the shaft 41, thisspring being coiled around the square part 21 of the shaft '17 andentering a recess 69. in the inner end of the part 40 ofthe shaft 41.Thus the spring68 tends to push the shaft 41 outwardly ortowards theleft in Fig. 3. The inner end of the' shaft 41 is connected byv a screw70 and a suitable washer 71 with the hub part 22 'of the arm 19, and oneor more washers 72 arranged between a shoulder T3 on .the shaft 40 andthe inner end of the bracket 46 act as a limiting means for the outwardmovement f of t-lie shaft 41.

From the above it will be seen that the locking member 23 may positionby merely pushing down the pin The member 23 is then in the positionshown in Y2 and its part 29 is in the path of the arm 19 so that theshaft 17 cannot be rotated by the handle 18 to retract .the bolt 11. Thelatch 49 is riding on the cylindrical part 48i of the shaft 41. One

knowing the combination, that is the numeral onthe dial 43 thatcorresponds with the position of the cam 54, canturn the shaft 41 bymeans of the dial to the correct predetermined position dso that the cam54 is in line with the latch 49. If then the dial and shaft 41 arepushed inwardly, 49vwill rideon'the cam 54 and the locking -member 23will be pushed upwardly out of the path of the arm 19. The latch 49 willnot catch behind the shoulder because the cam 54 prevents it from doingso, and as soon as the dial is released, the spring 68 pushes it back toits original axial posi tion and as soon as the pin '57 reaches theannular recess 58, thespring rotates the shaftl 41 to its originalposition of zero so that the shaft 41 willA not be left in its com-ybination position. If, on the other hand,

one unfamiliar with the combination pushes the shaft 41 inwardly -whilethe dial vis at zero position or any other position except the one thatcorresponds to the cam 54, theA nose 53 of the latch 49 will catch overthe 55 and retain the shaft against retraction. Also, even before thishappens the pin 57 will have entered between two of the splines 56 sothat the shaft cannot be rotated to feel for the cam 54. The shaft .thenis locked against both rotation and reciprocation and lit cannot befurther operated until the locking member 23 has been released in someother way and the latch 49 removed from its positionl behind .the

shoulder55. This may be done either by be placed Ain locking' the latchi the key mechanism or by operating the handle 15 on the shaft 14, asabove explained. When ,the lock'ng member 23 -is thus returned to itsoriginal position the shaft 41 will be released and pushed outwardly bythe spring 68 and rotated into position by the spring 65.

If it is thought that the combination has been discovered by someunauthorized person, it will be desirable to change the combination andthis may be done by loosening the knurled nut 45, then pushing the shaftpart 4Q inwardly so that'the pin 57 enga-ges between two of the splines56 to thereby prevent rotation ofthe shaft part. This will release thesplined connection `44 between the shaft parts and the part'42 may thenbe turned relatively to the part 40 as many notches as desired. The part42 is then pushed inwardly connection 44 is again nut 45 will be screwedup tight. In'doing this the latch 49 will have caught behind so that itssplined made and thc knurler vuse the key or the handle 15 to releasethe locking vvmember. This change of combination will in no way changethe return of the shaft41 to zero position because the dial is arrangedon that part of the shaft that is connected to ,the spring 65.` All that1s changed is the relationship of the cam 54 tothe numerals-on 'the dial43 so that this position of the dial will be necessary to line the camI54 up with the latch 49.

lVliile I have herein described in some d etail a specific embodiment ofmy invention, which I deem to be new and advantageous and mayspecifically claim, I do not desire it to be understood that myinvention is limited to the exact details of the construction, as itwill-bey apparent that changes may be made therein without departingfrom the spirit or scope of my inadapted to be rotated and reciprocated,a device on said element adapted to release saidy member when 'saidelement is reciprocated with said device in a certain predeterminedposition, and means for preventing rotation of said element after saidelement has been started on its reciprocating movement to release themember.

' 2. In a lock mechanism, the combination with a locking member, ofmeans to release said member, comprising an element adapted to be moved,first, from its normal position of rest to a position for releasing saidmember and second, from said latter position to effect the release ofsaid member, means for i Cil mined point. n lock mechanism, vthecombination preventing a repetition of the former move-4 ment after thelatter movement has been started, and mean-s for preventing aretractionof the element except when the first movement has beeneffected to a predeteroperative position with said device out of contactwith said member.

4. In a lock mechanism, the combination with a locking member, of meansto release n the locking member, comprising a rotatable and endwisemovable element having a device thereon to release thelocking memberwhen s aid element is moved endwise With said'device in a certainposition relative to said member, and .means rendering said elementnon-rotatable after its initial endwiSe movement towards releaseposition.

.5. In a lock mechanism, the combination with a locking membe`r,.ofmeans to release the locking member, comprising arotatable andendwisemovable element. having a device thereon to release the lockingmember when said element is moved endwise with said device in a certainposition relative to said member, and means rendering said elementnon-rotatable! as long as said element is insuch endwise position thatits said device might, if rotated, contact with said member.

6. In a lock mechanism, thecombination with a locking member, of meansto release said member, comprising a rotatable and endwise movableelement having a- Adevice thereon to release said member when saidelement is moved endwise with said device in a certain predeterminedposition, and

means for rendering said element inopera tive to release said memberafter it has been moved endvvise With said device in any other but saidpredetermined position.

7. In a lock mechanism, the combination with a locking member, of meansto release said member, comprising a shaft having a cam thereon, meansfor rotating the shaft to bring the cam in 'co-operative relationwith'sa'id member, and means for moving the shaft so that the cam willmove said member to unlocked position.

8. In a lock mechanism, the combination with a locking member, of, meansto release said member, comprising a shaft having a cam thereon, meansfor rotating the shaft to bring the cam in co-operative relation` with'eaid member, means for moving the Shafts@ that the @am will move saidmember to unlocked position, said means also permitting movement of theshaft endvvise with the cam in other than cooperative position .meansfor preventing rotation of the shaft afterits initial movement endwisefrom said normal position.

10. A lock release mechanism comprising va support, a shaft mountedtherein for rotation and ieci'procation within limits, a spring toyieldingly press the shaft towards one of its axial limits, anda springto yieldii'igly retain the shaft against one of its limitscircumferentially.

11. A lock release mechanism comprising a support, a shaft mounted torotate and reciprocate therein, a dials linedv to said shaft, means forretaining the ial in splined relation to said shaft, said latter meansbeing displaceable to permit change of angular relationship between dialand shaft.

12. In a lock release mechanism, the combination of a longitudinallymovableshaft having a release device thereon, and a dial connected tosaid shaft and adjustable thereon angularly relatively to said device.

13. A lock release mechanism comprising a shaft adapted to be rotatedand reciprocated to effect its release action, and spring means toreturn said shaft to its normal position both 'axially and angularly.

- 14. In a lock mechanism, the combination with a locking bolt and amanually. operated device for moving the bolt, a locking member whichmay be moved to retain the .locking bolt against movement from locked tounlocked position, and key operated means 'for withdrawing the lockingmember from 'locking position to thereby release the locking bolt, ofmeans capable of several different manipulations one of which willwithdraw said locking member and another of which will render saidwithdrawing means ineffective. l I

15. In a lock mechanism, the combination with a member to be locked, amember for retaining the first said 'member against movement, andkeyoperated means for withdrawing the retaining member, of a shaft having areleasing device thereon, means for moving said shaft to bring saidreleasing device into predetermined position relative to said retainingmember, means for reciprocating the shaft to ,release said retainingmember, and means for preventing rotation and retraction of said shaftafter it is relll ciprocated with its releasing means in other than saidpredetermined position.

16. In a lock mechanism, the combination with a locking bolt, meanscomprising a handle for operating said bolt, a locking member forprevent-ing movement of the bolt, and key operated mechanism forWithdrawing said locking member, of additional means for'withdrawing the`locking member comprising a sleeve surrounding the shaft of saidhandle, means for rotating the sleeve to predetermined angular position,and means for reciprocating the sleeve to Withdraw said member.

17. In a lock mechanism, the combination `with a locking bolt, meanscomprising a handle for operating said bolt, a locking member forpreventing movement of the bolt, and key operated mechanism forwit-hdrawing said locking member, of additional means for withdrawingthe locking member comprising a sleeve surrounding the shaft of saidhandle, means for rotating the sleeve to predetermined angular position,

means for reciprocating the sleeve to Withdraw said member, and meansfor locking the sleeve against movement either axially orv angularlyupon moving it axially when in other than in said predeterminedposition.

18.. In a lock mechanism, the combination of arlocking member, a shaftto release\said locking member upon being rotated to a predeterminedposition and reciprocated, means to retain said shaft against retractionif reciprocated While in other than in said predetermined position, andkey means for withdrawing said locking means and restoring said shaft toits original position.

1.9. In a lock mechanism, the combination of a locking member, a shaftto release said lockingmember When moved to a predetermined angularposition andthen moved axially, a device connected to said lockingmember to catch and hold said shaft incase the latter is moved axiallywhen in other than in said predetermined angular position, and

Amanually operated means for withdrawing -said locking member andsimultaneously releasing said shaft.

20. In a lock release mechanism, the comcertain angular position, afinger piece by which said shaft is rotated and reciprocated,

been started on its reciprocating movement' to release the device.

In testimony whereof I afx my signature.

MILTON TIBBETTS.

